Haiti (MNN) — Violence targeting a church in gang territory highlights religious freedom concerns in Haiti.

Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, “Over 40 people have been killed. A number have been injured, and some even have been abducted.”

The attack occurred in Kenscoff, a hillside community overlooking the Haitian capital.
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The church is located in Kenscoff, a hillside community overlooking the Haitian capital. Multiple attacks during the last year have forced thousands to flee their homes.

“There were a number of displaced people in the church, so we don’t know if these (victims) were actually Christians or [if] the church was extending its property to house these people and to take care of them,” Brobbel says.

Are gangs targeting Christians?

Haiti’s capital and the surrounding regions have increasingly come under gang control in recent years. See our coverage here.

Typically, the gangs do not target believers exclusively. However, the gangs’ violent activity creates instability, which inhibits church attendance and worship.

“The instability is directly affecting religious freedom,” Brobbel says.

“It may not be outright persecution against Christians, but it does limit religious freedom.”

How to help

Pray for the violence in Haiti to end. “It not only affects religious liberty; it affects how the country is run. It affects the economy. It affects everything,” Brobbel says.

Pray for the restoration of law and order. “We see religious freedom thriving in countries where law and order are respected,” Brobbel says.

“We see the need [in Haiti] for strong governance to strengthen the police force, give them the tools that they need to bring law and order to society.”

Pray that Gospel workers who remain in Haiti will be effective witnesses for Christ.

“Pray that they would operate wisely. Pray that they would find, even within gangs, those leaders that could be agents of peace, and build a relationship with them,” Brobbel requests.

 

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of TopSphere Media/Unsplash.